Caladium plant named ‘Classic Pink’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caladium  plant named ‘Classic Pink’, characterized by its intermediate height, upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; fancy-type leaves that are deep rose pink in color surrounded by dark green-colored margins; and good landscape performance.

Botanical designation: Caladium×hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CLASSIC PINK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium×hortulanum, commercially referredto as a fancy leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Classic Pink’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2009 in Avon Park, Fla. of a proprietary selection ofCaladium×hortulanum identified as code number WS-03-36, not patented, asthe female, or seed, parent with Caladium×hortulanum ‘Red Flash’, notpatented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant wasdiscovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. in September, 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by ‘chipping’ the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2011 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Classic Pink’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Classic Pink’ as a new and distinct Caladiumplant:

-   -   1. Intermediate in height, upright and uniformly mounded plant        habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Fancy-type leaves that are deep rose pink in color surrounded        by dark green-colored margins.    -   4. Good landscape performance.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are faster growing and produce        finished plants about one week earlier than plants of the female        parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and the female parent selection        differ in leaf shape and color as leaves of plants of the female        patent selection are lance leaf-types that are dark green in        color with grey green-colored centers occasionally blushed with        pink.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and the female parent selection        differ in leaf petiole color as leaf petioles of plants of the        female patent selection are tan pink in color with        darker-colored stippling and tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Red Flash’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are shorter than plants of ‘Red        Flash’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium are faster growing and produce        finished plants about one week earlier than plants of ‘Red        Flash’.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Red Flash’ differ in leaf        color as leaves of plants of ‘Red Flash’ are dark green in color        with dark red-colored centers and primary veins and pink-colored        spots.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants ofCaladium×hortulanum ‘Rosebud’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Caladium differed primarily from plantsof ‘Rosebud’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium were taller and more vigorous than        plants of ‘Rosebud’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Rosebud’ differed in leaf        color as leaves of plants of ‘Rosebud’ had light to pale        pink-colored centers surrounded by a broad area of white-colored        speckling and green-colored margins.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Rosebud’ differed in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of plants of ‘Rosebud’ were green        and tan in color with darker-colored stippling and        tessellations.    -   4. Plants of the new Caladium were more tolerant to Pythium Root        Rot than plants of ‘Rosebud’.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants ofCaladium×hortulanum ‘Rose Glow’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.20,070. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differedprimarily from plants of ‘Rose Glow’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium were more vigorous than plants of        ‘Rose Glow’.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Rose Glow’ differed in leaf        color as leaves of plants of ‘Rose Glow’ had pink-colored        centers surrounded by a broad area of pink and white-colored        speckling and green-colored margins.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Rose Glow’ differed in leaf        petiole color as leaf petioles of plants of ‘Rose Glow’ were tan        green in color with dark-colored tessellations and speckling.    -   4. Plants of the new Caladium were more tolerant to Pythium Root        Rot than plants of ‘Rose Glow’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical plant of ‘Classic Pink’ in a container and grown in a shadehouse(tuber not de-eyed).

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of the male parent, ‘Red Flash’ (left), ‘ClassicPink’ (center) and the female parent selection (right).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a comparison view oftypical potted plants of ‘Rosebud’ (left), ‘Classic Pink’ (center) and‘Rose Glow’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a comparison view oftypical plants of ‘Classic Pink’ grown in containers; the plant on theright has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the left has hadits tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a close-up view oftypical freshly-harvested tubers and roots of ‘Classic Pink’.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a side perspective viewof typical plants of ‘Classic Pink’ grown in an open field.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘Classic Pink’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shadehouse (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperaturesranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000foot-candles. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants,day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperaturesranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from about10,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were eightweeks old, and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were eight months oldwhen the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium×hortulanum ‘Classic Pink’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of            Caladium×hortulanum identified as code number WS-03-36, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium×hortulanum ‘Red Flash’,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented and somewhat flattened;            individual segments elliptic to ovate in shape. Height:            About 3.4 cm. Diameter: About 4.2 cm to 5.5 cm. Segment            height: About 2.6 cm to 3.1 cm. Segment diameter: About 2.5            cm to 3.9 cm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle.            Color: Epidermis, freshly-harvested: Close to 199A to 199B.            Epidermis, dried: Close to 200A. Cortical tissue: Close to            2C to 2D. Axillary buds: Close to 155C and 36C. Root            description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots; color, close            to 155C and 199C. Rooting habit: Sparse to medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate in height, upright and            uniformly mounded plant habit; vigorous and dense growth            habit; rapid growth rate, potted plants in finished or            saleable form in about eight weeks after planting tubers;            leaf petioles and leaves arise from one or more growing            points on tubers; petioles mostly upright and leaning            outwardly with development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 29 cm to 32 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,            shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 32.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted            plants.—About 39 cm to 42 cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1            tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About four to six develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About            5.3 cm to 9 cm. Width: About 1 cm to 1.8 cm. Shape:            Wedge-shaped. Apex: Acute or cuspidate. Base: Sheathing the            stem. Color, inner surface: Close to N155B; colors and            patterns of the outside surface are visible on the inner            surface. Color, outer surface: Close to N155C and N170D            tinged with close to 182C to 182D; densely and variably            streaked and stippled with close to 200A tinged with close            to 147A; with development, color becoming closer to 199A to            199B stained with close to 187A.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; fancy-type.        -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 15 cm to 24            cm.        -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants, flattened.—About 10            cm to 18 cm.        -   Shape.—Broadly ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate to acute.        -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.        -   Margin.—Entire; mostly flat with broad undulations.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Luster, upper surface.—Dull sheen.        -   Luster, lower surface.—Glaucous, dull sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing leaves,            upper surface: Main colors: Center, close to 184B tinged            with close to 53B and 184A; towards the margins, close to            147A. Margins: Close to 147A. Basal notch: Close to 187A.            Midrib and primary venation: Close to 185A tinged with close            to 53A; random areas adjacent to venation, close to 194B,            147A and 182B. Developing leaves, lower surface: Main            colors: Center, close to 184D; towards the margins, close to            191A. Margins: Close to 187A. Basal notch: Close to 187A.            Midrib: Close to 184B; areas adjacent to venation, close to            159D tinged with close to 182D. Primary venation: Close to            184C; areas adjacent to venation, close to 159D tinged with            close to 182D. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Main            colors: Center, close to 53B; towards the margins, close to            darker and greener than 147A tinged with close to N189A.            Margins: Close to darker and greener than 147A tinged with            close to N189A. Basal notch: Close to 187A. Midrib and            primary venation: Close to 53A; random areas adjacent to            venation, close to between 183A and 185A. Fully expanded            leaves, lower surface: Main colors: Center, close to 184C;            towards the margins, close to 191A. Margins: Close to 187A.            Basal notch: Close to 187A. Midrib: Close to between 184B            and 53B; areas adjacent to venation, close to 159D and 182D.            Primary venation: Close to 184B; areas adjacent to venation,            close to 159D and 182D.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight; with            development, leaning outwardly; flexible. Length,            shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 22.5 cm to 26.5 cm.            Diameter, distal, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 3.5            mm to 4.5 mm. Diameter, proximal, shadehouse-grown potted            plants: About 8 mm to 10 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous;            glaucous. Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants, Just below            the leaf and petiole junction: Close to 184B. Overall: Close            to 184C to 184D, boldly striped with close to 200A to 200B.            Wing length, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 5 cm to            6.8 cm. Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About            6 mm to 11 mm. Texture, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous. Wing color, shadehouse-grown potted plants, inner            surface: Close to N155A. Wing color, shadehouse-grown potted            plants, outer surface: Close to N155C and N170D tinged with            close to 181D, and densely and variably streaked and            stippled or mottled and striped with close to 200A tinged            with close to 147B.-   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on 7.5 week-old    shadehouse-grown potted plants.    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on a tall upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; sweet, jasmine-like with camphor            note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring in central            Florida; early flowering habit, flowers develop about 7.5            weeks after growth commences; inflorescences last about            three days before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 12 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 8 cm. Length, proximal closed portion: About            4 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 5.3 cm. Width, at            constriction: About 1.5 cm. Width, proximal closed portion:            About 3.2 cm. Shape: Ovate to elliptic. Apex: Acuminate.            Base: Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Texture, front and rear            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Luster, front surface: Dull            sheen. Luster, rear surface: Glaucous. Color, front surface:            Distal open portion: Close to N155D tinged with close to            192D and 181D; with development, color becoming closer to            199B. Proximal closed portion: Close to 194B; towards the            base, tinged with close to 187A to 187B and N186C; color            does not change with development. Color, rear surface:            Distal open portion: Close to N155D and N170D tinged and            streaked with close to 146D; color does not change with            development. Proximal closed portion: Close to 185A to 185B            and 182B to 182C with variable areas close to 147B to 147C;            color does not change with development.        -   Spadix.—Length: About 7.4 cm. Length, male flower zone:            About 3.6 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 1.7 cm. Length,            female flower zone: About 2.1 cm. Diameter, male flower            zone: About 9 mm. Diameter, sterile flower zone: About 5 mm.            Diameter, female flower zone: About 9 mm. Shape: Columnar.            Apex: Obtuse. Base: Obtuse. Aspect: Upright. Color, mature,            male zone: Close to 159D. Color, mature, sterile zone: Close            to 159C. Color, mature, female zone: Close to 36D and 182D.            Male flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 135. Shape:            Obovate. Height: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Pollen            amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 4C. Female flowers:            Quantity per spadix: About 119. Shape: Obovate. Height:            About 3 mm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Stigma color: Close to            36D. Ovary color: Close to 182D and 155C.        -   Scape.—Length: About 20.5 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.            Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture:            Smooth, glabrous; glaucous. Color, just below spathe:            Variable stripes, close to 184A, 184B, 183D, 194B and 200D.            Color, overall: Stripes, close to 182C, 182D, N170D and            200D.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Disease & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have above average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and    Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new Caladium have not been    observed to have resistance to pests and other pathogens common to    Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘Classic Pink’as illustrated and described.